The latest version of FCPX is aimed to be optimized with the upcoming all-new Mac Pro. After “preparing” Logic Pro-X for the Mac Pro, Apple updates its Final Cut Pro X with a new Metal engine to improve editing performances regarding native transcoding-free media (8K RAW footage for instance). Furthermore, the new version allows HDR viewing experience of Apple Pro Display XDR. Get ready for the Mac Pro.

Utilizing Metal API on creative applications

Metal (available since 2014) is a hardware-accelerated 3D graphic and compute shader application programming interface (API) developed by Apple Inc. Compute shaders are routines compiled for the GPUs. In simple words, the Metal technology (via API) supposed to improve the rendering of advanced 3D graphics and perform data-parallel computations using graphics processors (utilization of GPUs rather than CPUs). One of the most primary applications that can be privileged by Metal is Final Cut.  The Metal framework can communicate directly with the GPUs and thus accelerate video processing tasks.

Metal (available since 2014) is a hardware-accelerated 3D graphic and compute shader application programming interface (API) developed by Apple Inc.

15-inch MacBook Pro – 20 percent faster, iMac Pro – 35 percent faster

FCPX 10.4.7 delivers a new Metal-based engine that improves playback and accelerates graphics tasks, including rendering, real-time effects, and exporting on Metal-compatible Mac computers. Video editors with the 15-inch MacBook Pro (the most popular system for Final Cut Pro users), will benefit from performance thatʼs up to 20 percent faster. iMac Pro editors will see gains up to 35 percent. The combination of the new FCPX and Metal, supposed to utilized GPU based performance by offering support for multiple GPUs and up to 28 CPU cores implemented on the Mac Pro. According to Apple: “Rendering is up to 2.9 times faster, and transcoding is up to 3.2 times faster than on the previous-generation 12-core Mac Pro.”

Rendering is up to 2.9 times faster, and transcoding is up to 3.2 times faster than on the previous-generation 12-core Mac Pro

Apple

FCPX 10.4.7 and the new Afterburner: 16 streams of 4K ProRes or three streams of 8K ProRes RAW

Apple says that the new FCPX update utilizes the new Afterburner card for unparalleled performance when working with ProRes and ProRes RAW. That allows editors to simultaneously play up to 16 streams of 4K ProRes 422 video or work in cutting-edge 8K resolution with support for up to three streams of 8K ProRes RAW video.

Apple’s new Afterburner (the mysteries card) is supposed to allow further utilization of the GPU (like the R.I.P RED Rocket). One of the goals of the Afterburner is to eliminate the need for Proxy and allowing editors to work with native high-resolution media (without any transcoding). This card is probably going to be optional (purchased separately) in the upcoming Mac Pro. There are rumors that the Afterburner was developed with RED Digital Cinema and Blackmagic Design. The price of the Afterburner is unknown for now. It’s not going to be cheap, though. Read here more about Afterburner’s application regarding editing and grading.

Apple’s new Afterburner (the mysteries card) is supposed to allow further utilization of the GPU

Additional New Features in Final Cut Pro 10.4.7

• Grading HDR (High Dynamic Range) video with enhanced color mask and range isolation tools.
• Viewing HDR video tone-mapped to compatible standard dynamic range displays when using Final Cut Pro, Motion, or Compressor on macOS Catalina.
• You are selecting which internal or external GPU is used to accelerate graphics processing.

Pricing and Availability

Final Cut Pro 10.4.7 is available as a free update for existing users, and $299.99 for new users on the Mac App Store.

Summary

GPU is the key. As we wrote here before, the major bottleneck is the CPU (Central Processing Unit). It seems that Apple finally internalized that. NVIDIA implements that concept with its CUDA technology. Since the Mac Pro utilizes Radeon Pro Vega 2/Duo and not NVIDIA GPUs, it’s essential to implement Metal API in advanced apps to liberate full performance potential.  Anyway, it will be interesting to compare between the editing capabilities of the 15-inch MacBook Pro with FCPX 10.4.7, against one of NVIDIA Studios laptops.

Which will allow better performances? CUDA or Metal? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments section below.